Line-sectionalizer integratormechanism



Dem 1954 A. w. EDWARDS LINE-SECTIONALIZER INTEGRATOR-MECHANISM FiledJuly 21, 1950 Fig.2.

INVENTOR Andrew W. Edwards ATTORNEY 4. l 6 EWMMW. %M%w "an 5 5E5 HM 47/////// A? 2 H n www, s mum. m 1: F N N if; B. 8. a

jglylgzsszsz United States Patent LINE-SECTIONALIZER INTEGRATOR-MECHANISM Andrew W. Edwards, East McKeesport, Pa, assignortoWestinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporationof Pennsylvania Application July 21, 1950, Serial No. 175,275

20 Claims, (Cl. 3.17-178).

My invention relates to line-sectionalizer integratormechanism havingliquid-restrained resetting-means for slowly returning thecounter-member to itsinitial position. The general purpose ofl'ine'sectionalizers is to cooperatev with a recloser, which energizes arural distribution-line, so that the sectionalizer. will cut out. ofservice only the faulted section of the line, in' the event of a faultwhich persists after a predetermined. number of openings and closings ofthe recloser,v thus leaving, the rest of the line in service.The'recloser. counts a predetermined number of times, usually four,before looking itself out, with its contacts permanently open; and eachsectionalizer counts a smaller number of rapidly repeated overcurrentconditions, and then opens up its line-contact during a nocurrent periodof the recloser.

Incase the integrator or counting-mechanism of either the recloser orthe sectionalizer counts a number less than its predetermined number, itis necessary for that integrator or counting-mechanism to return slowlyback to its initial position, thus automatically resetting itself, readyfor another counting of asuccession. of rapidly repeatedovercurrent-conditions.

Various difficulties have been encountered in. using liquid-typetime-delay resetting-means for such integrators or counter-mechanisms.In general, I provide, in one form or another, a liquid-filledhermetically sealed tubular capsule,.the lower portionofsaid capsulebeing an axially expansible portion having flexible side walls, anelectromagnetically operated armature, means for causing a measuredadvance of a counting-means each time the armature moves in onedirection, and means for finally advancing the flexible end of thecapsule far enough to effect a desired integratonresponse at the end ofa predetermined number of measured advances of the countingmeans.

While my present invention was particularly designed for integrators orcounting-mechanisms for line-sectionalizers, and will be so described,it is also susceptible of application of reclosers and in otherapplications where similar self-resetting counting-operationsarerequired.

In like manner, while my invention was particularly designed, and isparticularly adapted, for the use of a liquid, rather than air or gas,certainfeatures of my in.

vention are also generally applicable, whatever may be theretarding-fluid. The use of av suitably chosen liquid. rather than airor gas, has the general advantage of per mitting easily maintainableworking tolerances between slidably fitting parts, in the manufacturingoperation, with no danger of service-trouble due to corrosion, dirt, orthermal distortion of the parts; and. it also makes possible aconsiderable choice of the variation of the resetting-time withtemperature, by'choosing a liquid having suitable temperature-viscositycharacteristics, thus compensating for unequal thermal expansions of thefitted parts of the mechanism.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention consists inthe apparatus, systems, combinations,

parts, and methods of design and operation, several specific.

illustrative forms of which, are hereinafter described and claimed, andillustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figures 1., Z and 3 aresomewhat diagrammatic vert-i cal. sectional views showing diflerentillustrativeforms of embodiment of my iutegrator'mechauism.

In Fig. 1;, I. show a self-resetting;integrator mechanism which uses anormally upstanding, long, tubular capsule 4, the lowermost portion ofwhich is an axially expansible portion having flexible side walls likeSylphon bellows 5,

while all the rest of the capsule has stiff side walls 6. In theillustrated example, about 60% of this capsule is filled with a liquidof suitable temperature viscosity characteristics, which extends up toabout the level of a washer or gasket 7' which will be subsequentlydescribed.

In the device shown in Fig. 1, the top portion of the tubular capsule 4is supported from an electromagnetdevice 8 having upper and lower spacedpole-piece plates 9 and 10, which are energized by means of a coil 11,for causing a magnetic flux to flow axially in the upper portion of thetubular capsule 4, between the two pole-piece plates 9 and 10. This coil11 is the coil which is adapted to be connected in series with adistribution-line (not shown) for responding to over-current-conditionstherein. Each of the pole-piece plates 9 and 10 has an opening 12 whichat least partially surrounds the tubular capsule 4, and supports thesame in an essentially vertical position. The opening 12. in the lowerpole-face plate 10 is lined with a magnetizable sleeve 12 whichsurrounds a portion of the tubular capsule 4, so that the top of thismagnetizable sleeve 12' actually forms the top face of the lower pole ofthe electromagnet-device.

The electromagnet-device 8 is supported by any suitable means, such as asupporting-bracket 13 which may form a part of an upper pole-plate 9.

In Fig. 1, the upper end of the tubular capsule 4 consists of amagnetizable tube 14 which is closed at both ends, the bottom 15 of thismagnetizable tube having an axial hole 16 therethrough. This bottom 15of the magnetizable. tube 14 underlies the previously mentioned washeror gasket 7. The bottom 15 of the magnetizable tube 14 thus in effectbecomes the lower end of the top pole of the electromagnet-device.

In Fig. 1, the lower half of the stiff side walls 6 of the tubularcapsule consists of an insulating tube 17, or at least a tube ofnon-magnetizable material, which is hermetically secured to the bottomof the magnetizable tube 14 to constitute a tubular extension thereof.An intermediate portion of this insulating tube 17 is surrounded by themagnetizable sleeve 12' which constitutes the lower pole of theelectromagnet-device.

Within the insulating tube 17 at about the level of the upper end of themagnetizable sleeve 12', there is disposed an axially movable armature20', which is freely movable axially between a predetermined unattractedlowermost position, which is shown in Fig. 1, and a predeterminedelevated attracted position, in which the top end of the armature movesup into contact (or near-contact) with the bottom 15 of the magnetizabletube 14. In the lowermost position of the armature 20, there is avertical space between the top of the armature and the bottom of themagnetizable top-pole tube 14, this vertical space corresponding to thestroke or extent of axial movement of the armature.

Secured to, or resting upon, the top of the armature 20 is an axiallyextending insulating .or non-magnetizable pressure-rod 21, which extendsup through the hole 16 in the bottom of the magnetizable tube 14. Thetop of this pressure-rod 21 is secured to a shoulder or plate 22 whichis pressed downward by a compression-spring 23. This spring 23 thusbiases the armature 20 to its lowermost position, and at the same timeit compresses the washer 7 between the plate 22 and the bottom 15 of themagnetizable tube 14.

Underneath the armature 20 there is an axially disposed movablecounter-rod 24 which is freely axially movable within the tubularcapsule 4, so that the lower end of said counter-rod is advanceable andretractible away from and toward the lower end of the armature. Belowthe armature 20, there is a one-way drivemechanism, shown in the form ofa tiltable pawl or clutch 25, which is pressed up against the armature20, by a spring 25.. In the lowermost position of the armature 20, saidarmature presses the pawl or clutch 25 down against the level orhorizontal top of a sleeve 26 in the tubular member 4 When, the coil 11-is energized with a sufficient overcurrent, it draws the armature 20into its upward position, and this upward movement of the armature 1sfol- Patented Dec. 28,. 1 954- lowed by the pawl or clutch 25, under theforce of its spring 25'. At the end of this upward movement, the top ofthe pawl 25 is leveled oil? by engagement with the level or horizontalbottom of a sleeve 26' in the ube2117, thus disengaging said pawl fromthe counter- When the coil 11 is deenergized, by which I mean, when saidcoil is not sufficiently energized, as a result, for example, of thetripping of the recloser (not shown), the armature 20 drops down to itslowermost position, carrying the pawl or clutch 25 with it. The bottomedge of the armature 20 is uneven, having a downwardly projectingextension 27 on one side, thus causing the pawl 25 to cant sideways,when said pawl is pushed down away from the level bottom of the sleeve26', thus making the pawl engage in one of a series of notches 28 on thecounter-bar 24, and thus pushing the counter-bar down a little furtherthan the distance between successive notches 28. Just as the armature 20reaches its lowermost position, the pawl or clutch 25 is leveled off byengagement with the level top of the sleeve 26, thus ggairladisengagingsaid pawl or clutch from the counter- This releasing of thecounter-advancing pawl 25 at each end of its stroke is described andclaimed in an application of J. M. Wallace and myself, Serial No.1756271, for Line-Sectionalizers, filed concurrently herewit Anintermediate portion of the counter-rod 24, below the notches 28,carries a piston 30 which fits within the sleeve 26; and this portion ofthe counter-rod is provided with an axially extending hole 31 havinglateral ports 32 and 33 above and below said piston. Included in theaxial hole 31 is a liquid-flow valve 34 for opposing the suddenreturn-movement of the counter-rod. Thus the counter-rod 24 can freelyadvance downwardly, as fast as the armature 20 moves, but the resettingupward-return of the counter-rod is limited to the rate at which theliquid can leak downwardly past the valve 34 or past the piston 30.

The counter-rod 24 is biased upwardly, in its resetting direction, bymeans of a compression-spring 35 which is disposed between the bottom ofthe piston 30 and the top of a shoulder 36 which is provided in thesleeve 26.

Thus, the pawl 25 acts as a one-way drive-mechanism for imparting onestep of a step-by-step downward advance to the counter-rod 24, each timethe armature 20 moves in a downward direction in response to theinterruption of an adequate current-flow in the coil 11; and when thereis a succession of rapidly repeated overcurrent and undercurrentconditions, the counter-rod 24 will be progressively advanced downwardlyin a succession of steps, as covered in the previously mentionedapplication of J. M. Wallace and myself.

After a predetermined number of downward advancesteps of the counter-rod24 have been obtained, the bottom of this rod strikes the lower end ofthe bellows of flexible-walled portion of the tubular capsule, andpushes this end of the capsule downwardly to effect whatevercontrol-response may be desired, such as the opening of a sectionalizerline-contact (not shown).

It will be noted that the normally compressed washer or gasket 7 in Fig.l is disposed at just about the liquidlevel in the capsule 4, or atrifle below said liquid-level, thus making it possible for the capsuleto be handled, or to be upended, when the integrator-mechanism is in itsnormal reset condition, waiting for the occurrence of anovercurrent-condition in the coil 11. The washer or gasket 7 thusmaterially reduces the likelihood that airbubbles will be introduced ortrapped within the liquid, with their resultant erratic eflect upon thebehavior of the timing-means.

Another advantage of the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 is that the bellowsor flexible-wall portion 5 is not deflected until the very last moment,when it is desired to have a response to the final advancing-movement ofthe counter-rod. Furthermore, the bellows is deflected only an absoluteminimum, thus reducing the total amount of energy required to deflectthe bellows. This results in a much smaller coil 11 and a less expensivebellows 5.

In Fig. 2, I show a second form of self-resetting integrator-mechanismembodying the general principles of my invention. In this form of theinvention, the normally upstanding tubular capsule 4' occupies only theupper portion of the tubular integrator-mechanism. The

portion having flexible side walls 5, while the upper portion of saidcapsule has stiff side walls 6'. There is a partial-filling of a liquid40 of suitable temperatureviscosity characteristics within the capsule4, and a liquid-flow valve 41 for opposing the rapid flow of liquid fromthe flexible-walled portion to the stiff-walled portion of the capsule,thus making the capsule operate, in effect, like a liquid dashpot.

Below the sealed capsule 4 in Fig. 2, there is disposed an insulating ornon-magnetizable tube 42 which constitutes the main portion of thetubular housing or guide-member for the counter-mechanism. The tubularstructure is supported in any desired manner, such as by means of abracket 43. The upper end of the tube 42 is joined to the stiff-walledportion 6 of the capsule, with the flexible-Walled portion 5 of thecapsule extending into the top of the tube 42.

An intermediate portion of the tube 42, in Fig. 2, is surrounded by amagnetizable' coil 11', which causesan axial flow of magnetic flux inthe tubular portion which is surrounded by said coil. An armature 20 isdisposed within the tubular member 42, so as to be freely mov- .ableaxially between an illustrated lower unattracted position, and an upperattracted position to which it is attracted by the magnetic flux of thecoil 11. When the armature 20' is drawn upwardly by the magnetic flux,the top end of said armature is brought up against a (preferablymagnetizable) plug 44 which is disposed within the tube 42 at about thetop of the coil 11', thus acting as an upper pole-piece for the coil.

In Fig. 2, the counter-rod 24' extends axially all i the way throughboth the armature 20 and the magnetizable plug 44, being freely slidablethrough holes 20" and 44 in these members.

come the stiffness of the flexible side-walls 5', but the valve 41restricts the rate at which the resetting upward movement can takeplace. in Fig. 2, is biased in a resetting direction, as by acompression-spring 35' which is interposed between the bottom of thebellows 5 and the top of the magnetizable plug 44, or by a reduction inpressure inside the closed space within the tube 6, or by thespring-characteristics of of the bellows 5.

The final response of the integrator-mechanism shown in Fig. 2 isobtained by means of the lower end of the -,counter-rod 24', whichprojects down below the open bottom end of the tubular housing 42, todisplace av latch 46 or other device which is to be operated in responseto a predetermined count-number of the mecha- IllSIl'l.

In Fig. 3, all of the parts of my liquid-actuated selfresettingintegrator-mechanism are included in a liquidfilled hermetically sealedtubular capsule which is similar, in general principles, to the capsule4 in Fig. l.

In Fig. 3, this capsule consists of an upper tube 50 of stiff insulatingor non-magnetic material, having a herj The lower end of the meticallyclosed upper end 51. tube 50 is hermetically joined to the upper end ofa flexible-walled portion or belows 52, having a hermetically closedbottom end 53. The tube 50 is supported by any suitablesupporting-bracket 43'.

An intermediate portion of thetube 50 in Fig. 3 is surrounded by amagnetizing coil 11", as in Fig. 2, and

as in Fig. 2, an upper pole-piece is provided in the form of amagnetizable plug 44' which is disposed at about the level of the top ofthe coil 11". This magnetizable plug 44 is provided with one or moreholes 54 therethrough so that fluid may flow freely in either direction,either to or from the space above the magnetizable plug 44'. Theoil-level in the tube 50, in Fig. 3,

is at a point somewhat above this magnetizable plug 44', v as shown at55.

The counter-rod 24 is advanced downwardly, in a step-by-step manner, by.

The counter-rod 24,

In, Figs 3,. a. different sort oi. armature: isrproyideda. and adifierent sort of operating-means forcountingihe. successivevback-and-forth axial; movementsbf; the armature,, auditor finallytransmitting informationas to: the. completion of. a. predeterminednumber or count ofi; such. rapidly recur-ring: movements;

In. Fig. 3-, normally= spacedtbelow the bottom. of the. magnetiza-bleplug; 4.4 there. is an; armature 56; which! fits within. the tube 50with: a-ffit which is sufficiently liquid-tight to oppose: rapid.liquid-flow through: said. fits. in the direction ofi the axis, thewidth. ofthisfit being-. exaggerateduin the drawing, forclearness ofillustration, The armature isbiased to. its illustrated extremedowmward.limit'of. movement, by its ownweight, and also by acompressionrspring.57 which: is. disposed.- between the; top of the armature and the bottomof the magnetizable plug- 44 When the coil 11" is. adequately energizedits. magnetic flux draws; up the: armature. until. the top of. thearmature hits the magnetizable. plug: 44!.

In Fig. 3, the armature 5.6 has two: holes 61- and. 62. extendingtherethroughin the direction of the axis. In the. first hole 61, aliquid-valve 63. is; provided, for opposing. rapid liquid-flow throughsaid hole. in: the upward direction; whereas-the second hole 62 has an.oppositely dlSPGSfidi valve. 64.- therein,. for opposing. rapidliquid-flowthrough this: second hole in the downward direction...Disposedirr thesecond hole: 62,, a floating piston-means; 65 is alsoprovided, which: normally rests near. the. hote tomof. this second hole62, being biased towards this; bottom position by any suitablebiasing-means; such'as its owm weight.

When the. coi-L 11. is first. energized. with. a, suitable overcurrent,in. Fig. 3, the armature: 56- makes its firstupward. stroke. duringwhich a measured. quantity of. the liquid. passes. downwardlyfreelythrough. the. first hole 61, and. no liquid pressures are.developed. Whenthe overcurrent-condition is. removed, the. armature56idrops dowinwardl y, andtheliquid which was: trapped below' thearmature in-the closedlower end of the. capsule, beginstorise-upwardlvinthe second hole: 62 i'nthe arma ture,,carrving along. the floatingpiston 65- duringrthisproca. ess.. The. relative. diameters of. the.holes 6-1 and-62,, the. lengths of these. holes,.and the length. of thearmature stroke, are so chosen. that itrequiresa; plurality of. armaeture. strokes to, drivev said. floating piston-means 65. all'stheway uptothe-top of. the. second. holev 62. in. the armature.- 56. Thisfloating piston-means 65 thus acts as a. counter-member, which.advances. in. a" stepeby-step fashionifuntiL a, predetermined. desirednumber. ofi steps or. counts have. beenobtained. When: the floating.pistonmeans; 65 reaches. the top otIv the. hole 62 its further upward:progress in. said. hole isstopped, so that it-..

then. actsas, a. plugwhich substantially.- prevents anyfurther?'upward vliquid-flow in. this .hole 62. Therefore, the... next; time. the...armature 56. moves. downwardly, driving, a. no-current period,v the.downward. stroke of; the armature. pumpsoil, into the bellows. portionv52 ofdie capsule; because the. valve 63 prevent-s. upward-1iquidflow. inthefi rstr hole. 61,. whilethe. floating piston 65 pref ventsrany.further. upward. liquid-flow in the. second hole 62,..whil'e; thearmaturerisv making. this downward stroke; The. expansion ofi. thebellowsvportion. 52. results in. a.

lowering. of. the. bottom end. 53, thus tripping. any. re.-

spouse-means (.not. shown.) which may bCTPIEQVlGlfid for.

being: controlled by the. integrator or counting.-mecha-- msm;

The. mechanism. resets itself, in. Fig.1 3,, by the slow dropping. ofthe floating piston 65-, due: tofluidrleakage. past sa-idpiston-orthrough thefit between the. outer walls" oi the. armature.- 56:- and theinner bore of the. tube 50'. Thus the mechanism of Fig. 3is;self-resetting;

It, wilt be noted: thanthe mechanism .05' Fig: 3 is. ex tremely simple,vit is; all-fluid its; action,. having no mechanical partsother than: themoving; armature: 5.6,.

the.- valves. 63: and: 64;. and the floating piston: 65'.. It is?furthernotedthat the bellows--52. is not expanded at'alh untilithe-verylastlmoment, atrwhich time it isexp'andexl; only the: minimum.amount necessary to. provide the: slight; downward movement: of: thelower end 53; which is; IIEiGBSSH'IiY-lQ' indicate; alresponse: of the.counting-mecha-- msm.

While I. haveshown: my invention in several difierent forms of;specifii: embodiments; I wish it to: be under-e stoodjliat; the:general" principles of my invention are: not: limited. to these. precisev embodiments, as: various changeszmayg hermetic; byway oi the.substitutions-10f: equivalents; or theomission or: additiomofi parts-;.with.- out. departing, from the. spirit ofi. the; inventiona. L. deesiretherefore, that... the appended. claims shall be: ac: corded; the;broadest? construction consistent. with. thein language.

I. claim. as; my invention:

12.. Alfluid-actuated selfi-reset-t-ing integrator-mechanism comprising:a.:.se-aled. capsule containing. a fluid, an elec.-

tromagnetz-dev-ice having; a magnetizing coi1-,. andhaving;

anarmaI-ure which. is movablerfrom a. predetermined unattractedposition.to; a; predeterminedattracted position to whichlitis attracted by the:magnetic; flux of. said. coil; biasing means for; returning saidarmatureto its un+ attracted. position each time the; current falls.below at predetermined. value; a; movable counting-means; one.-- wayacting; means, for causing eachimovement. ofv the:- armature inone.direction, to cause a. measured advanceofisaid, counting-means;biasing-means for; biasing; saidv :counting-me-ans in a resettingdirection toward its: 1111-.

advanced position; time-wdelaymeans including; one-wayact-ing fluid-flowmeans within the: capsule for; effecting: cumulative: advancement.0f..said. counting means by im:-.- pedingthefasttresettiug movement: ofsaid COIll'ltlllgflIlfifl-DSI while freely permitting its tast.advancingmovementr andmeans including. aflexible capsule sealing: member. atrone;end of I said capsuletor; efiecting, a. desired. integrator-re: spouseatztheend: of a predeterminedinumber: of. repeated: measured advancesofi the-.count-ing-means.

2.: A. fluidsactuated self.-resetting; integrator-mechanism; comprising:a=hermetical1v-.- sealed fluid-fi-lledTcapsule hav ing-fiexible-wall;means wherebyan end. of the capsule: may bexextendedg;anelectromagnet-device having armag netizin-g; coil, and having. anarmature which: is..mo.vable- 1 .from. at predetermined, unattractedposition: to a; predeter mined. attracted. position: t0"Wl'l lCh it; is:attracted by'ther. magnetic, flux ofl saidv coi-l-;- biasingrmeansz forreturning; said. armature, to its; u-nattracted position each time: the:current. falls below.- a'; predetermined value; a movablecountinggmeans; one-wa-v-acting means; for causing eaclr. movementoithe. armature; in. one direction, to causesa; measured. advanceoft-said. counting-means; biasingemeans' for. biasinggsaid countingmeans iua; resetting directionv toward-l itsv unadvanced position;onewayactmg;fluiilrflow" Imeans; wi-thimthe capsule for effecting-cumulativead:

vancement. of the. counting-. means. by impeding the: fast;resettingmovementot said countingrmeans whilefreeiy permitting, its-fastadvancing-movemenn and means forfinally. responding; to. atpredetermined number of re.'-'

peated measuredi advanecstof the countingemeanssfor-exs fable axially.between. a. predetermined unattracted. posie tiomand: a predeterminedattracted: position to which; it. is. attracted. bythe-magnetic flux.-of said. coil; biasing means. for returning said armature: to; its anattracted p.o'si?- tion each. time. the-currentzfalls below: a;predetermihed value;.. an, axially moving, countingemeanswithin said:tubular member; one-way-acting means, within: saith tubal-an member,iior causing each. movement. of the armature, in. onezdirectiom,to;-cause; a. measured: advance.- of" said counting-means; biasing:means, within said tubular member, for. biasing said counting-means". ina re. setting direction toward i-ts unadvanced; position one-way actingfluid-flow means; withinwthe: sealed portion of said: tubular; member?fen effectingr cumulative advancement of; said? counting: member byimpeding the fast" resetting;

movement of. said countingameans whiler freely permitting its fastadvancingemovem'ent; and means: connected to the flexible: wall:portion:. for effecting a desired integratorresponse at: the end of apredetermined number of're-- peatedi measured: advances: of; thecounting-means.

fluid ctua'tedr' selfi resetting integrator meclia-nism comprising:eluding" a= hermetically sealed fluid-filled capsule havingfiexibltewall means: whereby an end of the capsule may" be. extended; a:magnetizing coil for causinga magneticr flux: toiflnw: axially inatportion ofsaidtubulan member .normallyrupstanding tubular member in anarmature within said tubular member, said armature being freely movableaxially between a predetermined unattracted position and a predeterminedattracted position to which it is attracted by the magnetic flux of saidcoil; biasing-means for returning said armature to its unattractedposition each time the current falls below a predetermined value; anaxially moving counting-means within said tubular member; one-way-actingmeans, within said tubular member, for causing each movement of thearmature, in one direction, to cause a measured progressive advance ofsaid counting-means; biasing-means, within said tubular member, forbiasing said countingmeans in a resetting direction toward itsnnadvanced position; one-way-acting fluid-flow means, within saidtubular member, for impeding the fast resetting movement of saidcounting-means'while freely permitting its fast advancing-movement; andmeans for effecting a desired integrator-response at the end of apredetermined number of repeated measured advances of the countingmeans.

5. A self-resetting integrator-mechanism comprising: a normallyupstanding hermetically sealed tubular capsule, the lower portion ofsaid capsule being an axially expansible portion having flexible sidewalls, the upper portion of said capsule having stiff side walls, apartial filling of a liquid of suitable temperature-viscositycharacteristics within said capsule; a magnetizing coil for causing amagnetic flux to flow axially in a stiff-walled portion of said capsule;an armature disposed axially within a stiff-walled portion of saidcapsule, said armature being freely movable axially between apredetermined unattracted position and a predetermined attractedposition to which it is attracted by the magnetic flux of said coil;biasing-means for returning said armature to its unattracted positioneach time the current falls below a predetermined value; an axiallydisposed movable counter-rod which is freely movable within saidcapsule, the lower end of said counter-rod being advanceable andretractable away from and toward the lower end of said armature; aone-way drive-mechanism for imparting one step of a step-by-step advanceto said counter-rod each time the armature moves in that direction;means for biasing said counter-rod toward its retracted position; meansincluding a liquid-flow valve for opposing the sudden return-movement ofsaid counter-rod toward its retracted position; and means for causingsaid counter-rod, at the end of its predetermined step-by-step advance,to cause the lower end of said capsule to move downward below apredetermined point, whereby the integratormechanism responds to apredetermined number of rapidly repeated overcurrent-conditions in saidcoil.

6. A self-resetting integrator-mechanism comprising: a normallyupstanding hermetically sealed tubular capsule, the lower portion ofsaid capsule being an axially expansible portion having flexible sidewalls, the upper portion of said capsule having stiff side walls, apartial filling of a liquid of suitable temperature-viscositycharacteristics within said capsule; a magnetizing coil for causing amagnetic flux to flow-axially in a stiff-walled portion of said capsule;an armature disposed axially within a stiff-walled portion of saidcapsule, said armature being freely movable axially between apredetermined unattracted position and a predetermined attractedposition to which it is attracted by the magnetic flux of said coil;biasing means for returning said armature to its unattracted positioneach time the current falls below a predetermined value; an axiallydisposed movable counter-rod which is freely movable within saidcapsule, the lower end of said counter-rod being advanceable andretractable away from and toward the lower end of said armature; aone-way drive-mechanism for imparting one step of a step-by-step advanceto said counter-rod each time the armature moves in that direction;means for biasing said counter-rod toward its retracted position; apiston carried by an intermediate portion of said counterrod and fittingwithin a stiff-walled portion of said capsule; said counter-rod havingan axially extending hole having lateral ports above and below saidpiston; means including a liquid-flow valve'in said axially extendinghole for opposing the sudden return-movement of said counter-rod towardits retracted position; and means for causing said counter-rod at theend of its predetermined step-by-step advance, to cause the lower end ofsaid capsule to move downward below a predetermined point, whereby theintegrator-mechanism responds to a prede- 8 termined number of rapidlyrepeated overcur rent-conditions in said coil.

7. A self-resetting integrator-mechanism comprising:

a normally upstanding hermetically sealed tubular capsule, the lowerportion of said capsule being an axially expansible portion havingflexible side walls, the upper portion of said capsule having stiff sidewalls, a partial filling of a liquid of suitable temperature-viscositycharacteristics within said capsule; a magnetizing coil for causing amagnetic flux to flow axially in a stiff-walled portion of said capsule;an armature disposed axially within a stiff-walled portion of saidcapsule, said armature being freely movable between a predeterminedlower unattracted position and a predetermined upper attracted positionto which it is attracted by the magnetic flux of said coil; said capsulehaving an annular shoulder within its bore at a point above thearmature; the armature having an upstanding axial rod, terminating in anenlarged portion disposed above said annular shoulder; a gasket disposedbetween said enlarged portion of the upstanding rod and the annularshoulder of said capsule; a compression-spring disposed between the topof the capsule and the enlarged portion of the upstanding rod forreturning said armature to its unattracted position each time thecurrent falls below a predetermined value; said compression-spring alsonormally holding said gasket tight in the unenergized condition of saidcoil; the division-line between the partial liquid-filling and theoverlying air being sufliciently near said gasket so that said gasketmaterially reduces the introduction of air-bubbles in the liquid whenthe capsule is upended; an axially disposed movable counter-rod which isfreely movable within said capsule, the lower end of said counter-rodbeing advanceable and retractable away from and toward the lower end ofsaid armature; a one-way drive-mechanism for imparting one step of astep-by-step advance to said counter-rod each time the armature moves inthat direction; means for biasing said counter-rod toward its retractedposition; means including a liquid-flow valve for opposing the suddenreturn-movement of said counterrod toward its retracted position; andmeans for causing said counter-rod, at the end of its predeterminedstepby-step advance, to cause the lower end of said capsule to movedownward below a predetermined point, whereby the integrator-mechanismresponds to a predetermined number of rapidly repeatedovercurrent-conditions in said coil.

8. A fluid-actuated self-resetting integrator-mechanism comprising: asealed tubular member having a fluid therein and having a flexible wallexpansible member forming a seal at the lower end thereof; a magnetizingcoil for causing a magnetic flux to flow axially in a portion of saidtubular member; an armature within said tubular member, said armaturebeing freely movable axially between a predetermined unattractedposition and a predetermined attracted position to which it is attractedby the magnetic flux of said coil; spring biasing-means for returningsaid armature to its unattracted position each time the current fallsbelow a predetermined value; means for causing each movement of thearmature. in one direction, to advance a measured quantity of saidfluid; valvemeans for opposing the sudden return-flow of said fluid;biasing-means for causing a slow return-flow of said fluid, forresetting the integrator-mechanism; and means for responding to thedisplacement of a predetermined quantity of advanced fluid to cause aresponse-operation, said predetermined quantity being larger than themeasured quantity which is advanced by one movement of the armature,whereby the integrator-mechanism responds to a predetermined number ofrapidly repeated overcurrent-conditions in said coil.

9. A self-resetting integrator-mechanism comprising: a normallyupstanding tubular member including a hermetically sealed tubularcapsule, the lower portion of said capsule being an axially expansibleportion having flexible side walls, the upper portion of said capsulehaving stifi side walls, a liquid of suitable temperatureviscositycharacteristics within said capsule; a magnetizing coil for causing amagnetic flux to flow axially in a portion of said tubular member; anarmature within said tubular member, said armature being freely movableaxially between a predetermined unattracted position and a predeterminedattracted position to which it is attracted by the magnetic flux of saidcoil; biasing-means for returning said armature to its unattractedposition each time the current falls below a predetermined valuey meansfor causing each movement of the armature in onejdirection, to advance-a measured -qunt1ty'of'sa1d liqu1d;'valvequantity of advanced liquid tocause the lower *end of said capsule to move downward below apredetermined point, I, said predetermined quantity being larger thanthemeasexpansible portion having flexible side walls, the upper portionof said capsule having stir]? side walls, a liquid of suitabletemperature-viscosity characteristics within said capsule; and a l rquidflow valve "for opposing the rapid flow of liquid from the stiff-walledportion to the flexible-walled portion of the capsule; a tubular guide--means for opposing the sudden return flow of said liquid; biasing-meansfor causing a slow return-flow of said liquid, for resetting theintegrator-mechanism; and means 'for responding to the displacement of apredetermined member having its upper end joined to the stilt-walledportion of the capsule, with the flexible-walled portion of thecaps-rile -extend-iirg into the top of said tubular guide-member; amagnetizing coil for causing a magnetic flux to flow axially in aportion of said tubular -guide-mem ber; an armature within-said tubularguide member, said armature being --fre'ely --movable "axially betweenaipredeter-mi-ned unattraetedposition and a ,pre determined attractedposition-to which it is attracted by the ma'gnetic flux of saidcoilybiasing-means for returning said arma-tureto'its unattrac'tedposition each time the current falls-below a predetermined value; saidarmature having an axially extending hole theret-hrough; a movablecounter-rod which-is freely-movable with-in said hole in the armatureand which extends both above and below the armature; means for securingthe top of said counter'rod to the bottom of the flexible-walled portionof the capsule; a one-way drive-mechanism for imparting one step of astep-by-step downward advance to the downwardly extending portion ofsaid counterrod each time the armature moves downwardly; and means forbiasing said counter-rod upwardly toward its return-movement; saidcounter-rod projecting more than a predetermined distance below thebottom of said tubular guide-member at the end of a predeterminedstep-by-step downward advance of said counter-rod, whereby theintegrator-mechanism responds to a predetermined number of rapidlyrepeated overcurrent-conditions in said coil.

11. A fluid-actuated self-resetting integrator-mechanism comprising: atubular member, a magnetizing coil for causing a magnetic fiux to flowaxially in a portion of said tubular member; an armature within saidtubular member, said armature being freely movable axially between apredetermined unattracted position and a predetermined attractedposition to which it is attracted by the magnetic flux of said coil,said armature fitting within said tubular member with a fit which issufiiciently fluid-tight to oppose rapid fluid-flow through said fit inthe direction of the axis; and biasing-means for returning said armatureto its unattracted position each time the current falls below apredetermined value; characterized by said armature having two holesextending therethrough in the direction of the axis; valve-means foropposing rapid fluid-flow through one of said holes in one direction;valve-means for opposing rapid fluid-flow through the other hole in theother direction; fluid-guiding passage for causing the fluidwhich'passes'freely through the first hole during one movement of thearmature to pass freely back again through the second hole during theopposite movement of the armature; a floating piston-means disposedwithin the second hole and biased toward a position at the entrancethereof, whereby said piston-means is moved partway through said secondhole during the aforesaid opposite movement of the armature; saidfloating piston-means operating, near the end of its movement throughsaid second hole, as a stoppage for substantially preventing furtherback-passage of fluid through said second hole; the relativehole-diameters, hole-lengths, and armature-strokes being such that itrequires a plurality of armaturestrokes to drive said floatingpiston-means to its holestopping position; and integrator-response means'oper a'ti've in response to the fluid-pressure which is produced in thefluid-guiding passage during the next armaturestroke, whereby theintegratonmechanism responds to a predetermined number of rapidlyrepeated overcurrentconditions in said coil.

12. A self-resetting integrator-mechanism 'comprising:

'a normally upstanding hermetically sealed tubular capsule, the lowerportion of said capsule being an axially expansible portion havingflexible side walls, the upperportion of said capsule having sti'flsidewalls, a partial filling of a liquid of suitable temperature-viscositycharacteristics within said capsule; a magnetizing coil for causing amagnetic flux to flow axially in a stilt-walled portion of said capsule;an armature disposed axially within a st-ifl-wa lled portion of saidcapsule, said armature being freely movabl'e axially between apredetermined unattracted position and a predetermined attractedposition to which it is attracted by the magnetic flux of said coil,said armature fitting within said capsule with a fit which issufliciently liquid-tight to oppose rapid liquid-flow through said fitin the direction of the axis; and biasing-meansfor returning saidarmature to its unattracted positionea'ch time the current falls below apredetermined value; characterized by said armature having two holesextending therethrough in the direction of the axis; valve-means foropposing rapid liquid- .flow through a first one of said holes in theupward di rection; valve-means .for opposing rapid liquid-flow throughthe other hole in the downward direction; the :lower portion of thecapsule causing the liquid which passes downward .t'reely through thefirst hole during an upward movement of the armature to pass freelyupward again through the second hole during the next downward movementof the armature; a floating pistonmeans disposed within the second holeand biased toward .-a position at the lower end thereof, whereby saidpistonmeansis moved partway upwardfthrough said second aholeduri-ng theaforesaid downward movement of the armature; said float-ing piston-meansoperating, .near the end of its upward movement through said secondhole, as a stoppage for substantially preventing further upward passageof liquid through said second hole; the relative hole-diameters,hole-lengths, and armature- StIOliGS being such that it requires aplurality of armaturestrokes to drive said floating piston-means to itsholestopping position; whereby the next downward armaturemovementdevelopes a liquid-pressure in the flexiblewalled portion of thecapsule, pushing down the lower end of the capsule, thus causing theintegrator-mechanism to respond to a predetermined number of rapidlyrepeated overcurrent-conditions in said coil.

13. In a counting device, a casing having a rigid wall portion and aflexible wall portion providing with at least a portion of the rigidwall portion an extensible sealed compartment, electroresponsive meansincluding a movable magnetic core slidably disposed in a portion of saidrigid wall portion, a fluid disposed within at least the flexible Wallportion of the casing, and counting means progressively operable inresponse to movement of said core for etfecting extension of saidflexible wall portion to effect a response operation only after apredetermined number of closely successive movements of said core.

14. A counting device comprising, a sealed casing having a flexible Wallportion disposed to be extended, a fluid in said flexible wall portion,one-way fluid valve means for retarding the flow of fluid from saidflexible wall portion, electromagnetic means including a movabie core insaid casing, and counting means in the casing operable in response tomovement of said core to mechanically operate said flexible wall portiononly after a predetermined number of closely successive movements ofsaid core.

15. In a counting device, a sealed capsule having an extensible flexiblewall portion, a fluid within said cap sule, one-way valve means forretarding movement of said fluid from said flexible wall portion,electroresponsive means including a movable core within said capsule,and counting means within said capsule progressively operable inresponse to movement of said core for eifecting extension of saidflexible wall portion only after a predetermined number of closelysuccessive operations.

16. A counter comprising, a sealed container having a flexible wallportion for sealing a fluid therein, a counter member, actuating meansfor said counter member, and delay means retarding movement of thecounter member in one direction by retarding flow of fluid in thecontainer from one part to another a greater amount in said onedirection than in the other direction.

17. A counter comprising, a movable counting member, electroresponsivemeans for eifecting advancement of said member in one direction inresponse to a predetermined condition of a circuit, said member beingbiased to move in the reverse direction to reset, time delay meansincluding a sealed container having an expansible portion adjacent oneend, a perforate partition in said container, said partition and atleast a portion of said container comprising two parts, one of whichcomprises the expansible portion and is movable relative to the other tocause liquid in said container to pass from one side of said partitionto the other, means associating said counting member and the movable oneof said two parts at least during a part of the advance and reversemovements of said counting member, and means restricting flow of liquidthrough said partition during a reverse movement of said counting memberto delay resetting of said counting member and cause it to beprogressively advanced in response to closely suc- Sessive occurrencesof said predetermined circuit conition.

18. A counter comprising, a movable counting member, electroresponsivemeans for effecting movement of said member in one direction in responseto an overcurrent condition, said member being biased to move in thereverse direction to reset, time delay means including a sealedcontainer having a fluid therein and having an expansible portion,partition means in said sealed container having an aperture therein anddividing the sealed container into two parts one of which includes theexpansible portion, said partition and at least one of said two partsbeing relatively movable to cause fluid to move from one part to theother, and means for restricting the flow of fluid through said apertureduring movement of the counting member in the reverse direction.

19. A counter comprising, a movable counter mere ber, electroresponsivemeans for effecting movement of said counter member in one direction,said counter member being biased to move in the reverse direction toreset, time delay means retarding said countermember member including asealed casing having an expansible portion and partition means dividingthe casing into two parts one of which comprises the expansible portion,said partition means having an aperture to permit flow of fluid in thecasing from one part to the other, and means for retarding the flow offluid from said other part to said one part within the sealed containerduring reverse movement of the counter member.

20. vAn integrator comprising, a sealed casing having a flexible wallportion whereby an end of the casing may be extended for effecting anintegrator response, electroresponsive means including a movable core,and means including a counting member advanceable by movement of saidcore, said counting member having time delayed biasing means foreflecting slow resetting thereof for extending said flexible wall inresponse to a predetermined number of closely successive movements ofsaid core.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,737,649 Edsall Dec. 3, 1929 1,805,082 Edsall May 12, 19312,051,938 Carlson Aug. 25, 1936 2,053,944 Cooney Sept. 8, 1936 2,098,331Bowman Nov. 9, 1937 2,455,067 Kyle Nov. 30, 1948 2,468,851 Wallace May3, 1949 2,515,530 Schindler July 18, 1950 2,573,234 Wallace Oct. 30,1951

